Jean Almarode Bell, 87, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Hidden Springs in Bentonville.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Front Royal with the Rev Christy McMillan-Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow in Panorama Memorial Gardens at Waterlick.
Mrs. Bell was born on October 13, 1931, in Hopewell, Virginia, daughter of the late Raymond Douglas Almarode and Lois Pelter Alamrode. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Front Royal for seventy years where she served as Chair of the Social Committee for several years. She served on the board of Habitat for Humanity as one of the original members in Front Royal. Mrs. Bell worked for Dr. Hodges an Optometrist in Front Royal and retired after many dedicated years. She was married for 62 years to James Robert “Bobby” Bell, before his passing in 2012.
Surviving are her children J.R. Bell and wife Cindy of Richmond, Bruce Bell and wife Brenda of Front Royal, Laura Balun and husband Paul of Springfield and Donna Reedy of Browntown; one brother Richard Almarode of Sterling; one sister Carol Kenney of Front Royal; 8 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Robbie Bell, Jonathan Bell, Jamie Reedy, Jason Reedy, Braden Bell and Jackson Bell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Amanda Balun, Elizabeth Balun, Beth Irwin, Amber Martin and special friend Ashby Crowder.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 30 from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.
Our sincere condolences are extended to the family. Jean was a lovely lady who did so much for others in her church and in her community. She will be deeply missed.
Kathy & Ron Napier
Dear Laura, Donna and everyone in the Bell Family, my mother and I were so sad to hear of your mother’s death. I have so many fond memories of her when she worked for Dad. She was always wonderful to me—so sweet, and so much fun—what a marvelous person she was! I will always remember her ready smile and delightful laugh; no matter how difficult the day became, she kept her cool, and her poise always impressed me. I don’t exaggerate when I say that your mother was an inspiring example of grace and graciousness, and I will never forget her.